Graduation rates: St. Vrain students succeed; Colo. falls short

By Kristen MerrillLongmont Times-Call

Posted:
12/16/2012 10:33:24 PM MST

Updated:
12/16/2012 10:39:30 PM MST

LONGMONT -- For the first time since the nation's governors agreed to use the same formula to calculate high school graduation rates, the U.S. Department of Education published state-by-state figures earlier this month, which allows comparisons of student achievement.

The new formula is the result of a nationwide initiative that dates back to 2005, when the governors of all 50 states signed a compact agreeing to adopt the new formula by 2011.

This report shows considerably wide achievement gaps among minority and economically disadvantaged students when compared to their peers. In Colorado, for example, the overall graduation rate was 74 percent, but only 60 percent for Hispanic/Latino and 62 percent for economically disadvantaged students (meaning those students who are eligible for free or discounted school meals), compared to 81 percent for white students.

The Colorado Department of Education, however, says Colorado is making small improvements in statewide graduation rates, reducing the dropout rate for the sixth consecutive year.

All students

SVVSD: 78.8%

Colorado: 73.9%

National: 78.7%

Hispanic/Latino students

SVVSD: 60.7%

Colorado: 60.1%

National: 69.4%

Economically

disadvantaged students

SVVSD: 65.5%

Colorado: 61.1%

National: 69.3%

White (not Hispanic)

or caucasian students

SVVSD: 85.4%

Colorado: 81.1%

National: 83.3%

Megan McDermott, assistant director of communications at the CDE, said via email that the state has been making progress in the right direction. This is visible in the data, which show that the graduation rate for the class of 2011 increased 1.5 percentage points to 73.9 percent, compared with the 2010 graduating class.

A graduate adjusts his tassel as Mead High School graduated its inaugural class in May of 2012. (Greg Lindstrom/Times-Call)
(
Greg Lindstrom
)

Superintendent Don Haddad was not surprised by the higher graduation rates within the St. Vrain Valley School District compared to the state, despite the fact that SVVSD requires more cumulative credits for graduation, as well as a mandatory three years of math and science, compared to the standard two years.

"We work with the students in order to keep progress a part of the culture here," Haddad said. "They are expected to graduate. These high expectations translate into hard work, and students continue to rise to the challenge."

Haddad emphasized that SVVSD has made efforts to strengthen students' relationships with school. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and MESA (Math, Engineering and Science Achievement) programs at district schools, which are funded by the mill-levy override, help to engage students' interests.

"Academic and co-curricular programs, like drama and choir, help students enjoy going to school. ... They get connected to adults in leadership, so they can build those essential positive relationships and are more likely to excel in school and graduate," Haddad said.

According to CDE reports, only 116 -- or 64.1 percent -- of Colorado's school districts achieved a four-year on-time graduation rate at or above the state's expectation of at least 80 percent.

McDermott referenced a report stating that the CDE has been greatly troubled by the rates, and suggests focusing on re-engaging dropouts and providing more graduation options, in hopes that Colorado will see improvements.

The CDE report also stated that, when comparing results across the nation, it is important to keep in mind that even though the U.S. Department of Education made the four-year rate the common measure, there are still variations across states.

For example, Colorado includes eighth-grade non-returning dropouts in the graduation base, whereas other states start with students entering ninth grade for the first time, which may contribute to the low rates.

Haddad and the CDE report both suggest improvements such as early intervention to strengthen the transition from middle school to high school, increased counseling support, communicating with parents and encouraging children to get involved with extra-curricular activities.

The CDE report acknowledges that the data show there is a lot of work needed to increase graduation rates and that this could help educators realize the urgency in improving results.

"This data is especially helpful because we can look at individual school rates and compare that to the district as a whole," Haddad said. "Hopefully we can intervene where needed and avoid the pitfalls that would otherwise compromise a student's ability to graduate on time."

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